The Tailor’s Ham

April 26, 2019Bespoke Suit and Shirt Tailor (Savile Row, London)

We have a great crew at Henry Herbert.

There is myself, Charlie, and I set up the company eleven years ago. However, it is everyone else who really makes the whole show work. The Front of House is Alexander; our Head Cutter, Francesco; our shirt maker and Alterations Manager, Abdul and our two apprentices, Lucy from Newham College and Finn from Amersham & Wycombe College. Just as importantly is our Administration – Agnes and Pat, who both make sure the wheels turn around.

This week, we completed a Nehru jacket – a beautiful looking, tall jacket which a customer asked us to make for his sister’s wedding. There are a variety of stories as to its origin and often with these stories it takes some deciding yourself which one to go with. I am comfortable with it being born and styled by Jawaharlal Nehru, a freedom fighter, the first Prime Minister of India and a central figure in Indian politics before and after independence.

But how on earth is a freedom fighter from India associated with ham and Tailor’s Ham at that?! In order to complete the bespoke jacket for the customer, let’s call him Mr Bigfoot, we need to sit it on something that resembles his chest. A mannequin would not do and so we used what is called a Tailor’s Ham – a tightly stuffed pillow used as a curved mold.

Tailors Ham’s have become a respectable tool of the tailor’s trade, to the extent that people cover them in a variety of interesting fabrics and patterns.

In any case, our Tailor’s Ham saved the day and ‘he’ seemed very comfortable, and at home, giving a helping hand to the legendary Nehru jacket.

And we had a very happy customer at the end who has promised to send us photographs of the jacket in all its glory at the wedding of his sister. Until that moment, Mr BigFoot wishes to keep his jacket under close wraps and so in the meantime, my own jacket in all its glory is shown below. I love it.

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The Tailor's Ham - Bespoke Suits By Savile Row Tailors.
We have a great crew at Henry Herbert. There is myself, Charlie, and I set up the company eleven years ago. However, it is everyone else who really makes t

Henry Herbert are bespoke tailors, offering bespoke tailoring to the highest standards of Savile Row. London is the gold standard of bespoke suits. But we know it is not always easy to make appointments in a busy work week and so, if you are looking for the finest bespoke suits and bespoke shirts, try our Savile Row by Scooter visiting tailor service. Our London tailors are trained to help find your perfect style and fit, using the finest bespoke suit and shirt fabrics. Find out more about the history of bespoke tailoring.

Yet another fantastic suit with Charlie and Alexander of Henry Herbert Tailors! Attention to detail, factoring in how my older suits currently fit, have resulted in me being a happy client once again. It should be noted that Charlie and Alexander also provide an excellent aftercare service to my older suits. The customer attention does not end once they hand over the finished product to you - it is ongoing. I think I would like to give their shirts a try now!read more

Never had a tailored garment before but decided to treat myself to a morning suit for my wedding - very happy I went with Henry Herbert. Service was top notch, they went out of their way making sure the fittings had virtually no disruption to my day. Massive choice of materials ranging from traditional to something a bit different, so you can get exactly the look you're after and a suit that is completely unique to you. The quality and fit is excellent and made me feel even more special on the big day. Thanks Charlie and the team.read more

There are two things that really set Henry Herbert’s apart. Firstly the quality of the tailoring. I’ve just had my wedding suit made and couldn’t be happier with the outcome - Charlie worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was arranged. And secondly, the personal service that makes the whole tailoring process a complete delight and thoroughly enjoyable experience from the customer perspective. I can not recommend Charlie and the team highly enough and I’ll certainly be back in the future.read more